The bill amends RCW 67.28.1816 to expand the permissible uses of lodging tax revenues by municipalities. Specifically, it allows these revenues to support the operations and capital expenditures of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by nonprofit organizations that qualify under sections 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code. Additionally, the bill clarifies the criteria for applicants seeking to use these revenues, requiring them to provide estimates of the expected increase in tourism, and establishes a process for municipalities with populations of 5,000 or more to work with local lodging tax advisory committees in selecting funding recipients.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that all recipients of lodging tax revenues submit reports detailing the actual number of travelers attracted by their initiatives. These reports must be made available to the local legislative body and the public, and copies must be provided to the joint legislative audit and review committee. The committee is tasked with biennially reporting to the legislature on the use of lodging tax revenues by municipalities, with the first report due in 2015. The bill also specifies that the provisions do not apply to counties with populations of 1,500,000 or more.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 67.28.1816